Genital ulcers caused by herpes simplex virus

Prevalence of yaws and syphilis in the Ashanti region of Ghana and occurrence of H. ducreyi, herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 in skin lesions associated with treponematoses

Yaws affects children in tropical regions, while syphilis primarily affects sexually active adults worldwide. Despite various campaigns towards the eradication of yaws and elimination of syphilis, these two diseases are still present in Ghana. The aetiological agents of both diseases, two Treponema pallidum subspecies, are genetically similar. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of these treponematoses and the occurrence of pathogens causing similar skin lesions in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A point-of-care test was used to determine the seroprevalence of the treponematoses. Both yaws and syphilis were identified in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Multiplex PCR was used to identify treponemes and other pathogens that cause similar skin lesions. The results indicated that the seroprevalences of T. pallidum in individuals with yaws-like and syphilis-like lesions were 17.2% and 10.8%, respectively. Multiplex PCR results showed that 9.1%, 1.8% and 0.9% of yaws-like lesions were positive for Haemophilus ducreyi, herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and T. pallidum respectively. Among syphilis-like lesions, 28.3% were positive for herpes simplex virus -2 (HSV-2) by PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first time HSV-I and HSV-2 have been reported from yaws-like and syphilis-like lesions, respectively, in Ghana. The presence of other organisms apart from T. pallidum in yaws-like and syphilis-like lesions could impede the total healing of these lesions and the full recovery of patients. This may complicate efforts to achieve yaws eradication by 2030 and the elimination of syphilis and warrants updated empirical treatment guidelines for skin ulcer diseases.

Overview of Vaginal Ulcerative Disease

Genital ulcers may be located on the vagina, penis, and anorectal or perineal areas and may be infectious or noninfectious. Vaginal ulcers affect patients of all ages and are commonly due to sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes simplex virus, the most common cause of genital ulcers in the United States. Non-sexually transmitted infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus, and other noninfectious causes, such as trauma, medications, and autoimmune disease, rarely can present with genital ulcers. Appropriate history, examination findings, and targeted testing must be used to correctly diagnose and treat vaginal ulcers. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(1):e10-e16.].

Utilising biosensor-based approaches for identifying neurotropic viruses

Neurotropic viruses, with their ability to invade the central nervous system, present a significant public health challenge, causing a spectrum of neurological diseases. Clinical manifestations of neurotropic viral infections vary widely, from mild to life-threatening conditions, such as HSV-induced encephalitis or poliovirus-induced poliomyelitis. Traditional diagnostic methods, including polymerase chain reaction, serological assays, and imaging techniques, though valuable, have limitations. To address these challenges, biosensor-based methods have emerged as a promising approach. These methods offer advantages such as rapid results, high sensitivity, specificity, and potential for point-of-care applications. By targeting specific biomarkers or genetic material, biosensors utilise technologies like surface plasmon resonance and microarrays, providing a direct and efficient means of diagnosing neurotropic infections. This review explores the evolving landscape of biosensor-based methods, highlighting their potential to enhance the diagnostic toolkit for neurotropic viruses.

Genital Ulcer Disease: A Review of Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Genital ulcer disease can be caused by a wide variety of sources. Most commonly, genital ulcer disease is grouped into infectious and noninfectious causes. HSV, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, and chancroid represent some common infectious ulcers. Noninfectious causes on the other hand can be inflammatory, noninflammatory, or malignant (eg, squamous cell carcinoma). Depending on the etiology, genital ulcers may present with unique features that can help clinicians identify the etiology and start treatment in a timely manner. The clinical presentation and management of infectious and noninfectious genital ulcers will be discussed in this review.